Paul Pierce (toe) leaves game

BOSTON -- Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce knocked down his first two shots and then headed to the locker room less than three minutes into Thursday night's finale against the Milwaukee Bucks with what the team said was a sprained left big toe.

Pierce returned in the second quarter but did not play in the second half. He came out for warmups and then headed to the locker room.

He was replaced by Mickael Pietrus at the 9:43 mark. Pietrus did Pierce one better, making his first three shots.

The Celtics open their first-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday.